Tuesday, August 23, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Ostracism of Dalits in Nayakanur to be probed

Hubli, August 22, 2011Ostracism of Dalits in Nayakanur to be probedStaff Correspondent

Narayanaswamy and Jagadish Shettar visit the village

Minister for Social Welfare and Prisons A. Narayanaswamy said that aninquiry will be conducted into the incident of Dalit familiesostracised in Nayakanur village recently. An officer of the rank ofDeputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) will carry out the probe.

Mr. Narayanaswamy visited Nayakanur village along with the Ministerfor Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Jagadish Shettar on Sunday.

The Minister said that action would be taken under the Goonda Actagainst those who were involved in atrocities against the Dalits, andthose who provoke such incidents in the State. Assuring the ostracisedDalits all help and cooperation, Mr. Narayanaswamy asked them not topanic.

Going on to describe the development works to be taken up by theGovernment in the Dalit colony of the village, Mr. Narayanaswamy saidthat the Government has released Rs. 50 lakh development grants ofwhich Rs. 25 lakh would be utilised for developing roads, Rs. 20 lakhfor underground drainage works, and Rs. 5 lakh for the construction ofthe community hall.

The Minister instructed Deputy Commissioner Darpan Jain to identifyland to be distributed among the Dalit families here. Besides,financial assistance through Dr B.R. Ambedkar SC/ST DevelopmentCorporation will be provided to the educated Dalit youth to take upself-employment initiatives.

Mr. Narayanaswamy said that shifting of exploited families cannot bethe solution for the problem such as ostracism. He said that theGovernment wants communities to share a cordial relationship to builda peaceful and united society. For the purpose, the Government iscommitted to provide all facilities. Other communities should supportthe exploited communities to join the mainstream society, he said.

Mr. Shettar said the officials concerned were instructed to takeaction immediately after Dalits were ostracised in the village, andpolice protection was also provided to the aggrieved families.

Mr. Narayanaswamy and Mr. Shettar performed bhoomi puja forinfrastructure development works at the Dalit colony.

Members of the district unit of the Rajya Adijambava (Madiga) Sanghastaged a 'rasta roko' near Shalawadi Cross on Sunday demanding thearrest of Andanigouda Patil and others who allegedly ostracised Dalitfamilies at Nayakanur village. They submitted a memorandum to theMinisters urging them to take steps to confiscate the properties ofMr. Anadanigouda. They said the Government should rehabilitate Dalitfamilies by giving them land, financial assistance, besides otherfacilities.

Ashok Dodmani, Venkatesh Sagabal, and others led the protest.

An officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police toinvestigate the incident'Shifting of exploited families cannot be the solution for the problemof social boycott'